Application of SS-CS-HR-AAS measurements for the detection of Ag nanoparticles in marine invertebrates

The present study describes the development of a fit-for-purpose analytical procedure for the detection of Ag NPs in different marine organisms by Solid Sampling Continuous Source High Resolution Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (SS-CS-HR-AAS). The detection is based on the observation of the Ag absorption peak and its atomization delay t ad which is different for ionic Ag and Ag NPs. The temperature program was optimized in order to achieve the maximum difference between the t ad (Δt ad ). The method was first developed using biota CRMs spiked with different Ag NPs standard solutions or Ag + , at the same concentration. Then, laboratory exposure experiments were performed on mussels and marine sponges. The results showed that the developed methodology is suitable for the detection of Ag NPs for both groups of organisms, showing Δt ad up to 3.1 s. The developed method is therefore a promising tool to assess the presence of AgNPs in marine invertebrates.